Improvement in cultivators



R, M. MELTOIL Cultivator.

No.'. 24,227. Patented May 31. 1859.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CULTIVATORSI V Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 24,227, dated May 31 1859.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, R. M. MELTON, of Origlersville, in the county of Madison and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plows, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 represents a perspective viewof a gang-plow embracing Iny improvements.

My improvements in plows relate to that description or class known as the gang-plow, in which two or more plows are connected with the same frame.

The object of my improvements is to facilitate the adjustment of the distance between the plows, and also more effectually to support the colter, regulating the pitch of thethus doing away with the long connectingbars in general use for effecting the same object; second, in constructing the colter of such form in connection with the form of the curve given to the rear end of the plow-beam that by simply sliding the colter on the beam it is raised, the inclination or pitch of the point changed, so as to increase the downward draft and prevent the plows from being thrown out in shallow furrows, while at the same time the back of the colter is supported by the plow-beams, which prevent it from springing or bending when subjected to heavy strains.

In the accompanying drawing is represented a gang-plow embracing my improvements, which consist of a series of plows arranged on three separate beamsa center beam, A, and two side beams, B and C-which are connected to the center by a flexible joint, d, that admits of their moving laterally to vary the distance between the plows. These beams are rectangular bars of iron of different lengths and bent downward at their rear end. The side beams are confined and adjusted to thecenter beam by means of adjustable links I), which pass over the heads of adjustable slides c and are confined thereto by a nut, d, that screws down on the head of the slide and prevents the beam from mov- The plow is attached to the beam by means of a'staple riveted to its back, which is made of the proper size to fit the beam, and confined thereto by a key, so that it can be adjusted to the height required for the depth of the furrow.

To the center beam a colter, D, of peculiar form, is attached, and it is so arranged in connection with the curve given to the plowbeam that by sliding it on the beam it is raised and depressed, while at the same time the pitch of the point is varied in elevating it so as to increase the downward draft of the plows in light furrows and prevent the side plows from being thrown out, while at the same time the back of the colter is supported in all positions through a great portion of its length by the plow-beam, which stiffens the colter and increases its capability to resist heavy draft upon it in passing through compact soil.

This plow may be changed into a cultivator when required by removing the plows and substituting therefor cultivator teeth .with slotted heads. These teeth are slid over the curved part and are confined to the straight part of the beam by means of a key, in the same manner as the plows.

Having thus described my improvements in gang-plows, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the adjustable links .with the adjustable slide, arranged substan- 

